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Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Local history
"The London Of Jack the Rippper: Then And Now" is a photographic
journey through the London of Jack the Ripper as it was when he
stalked the mean streets and alleyways of the Capital. Robert Clack
and Philip Hutchinson take the reader on a step-by-step tour of the
crime scenes, giving a detailed history of the victims, the crimes
and the police investigation. Using many previously unpublished
photographs and illustrations, the authors put the reader on the
very streets that Jack walked, showing the crime scences, the
victims' homes, the common lodging houses and the public houses.
They show readers how to retrace the steps the victims took,
pointing out the changes to that particular area and when those
changes occurred. Using contemporary documents and police files,
the authors trace the history of all 11 Whitechapel murders from
1888 to 1891 and discuss other contemporary attacks that may well
have been by the same hand. The book will not only be of interest
to Ripperologists, but also to those who are interested in the
history of London and the East End of London in particular.
Mary Dodge Woodward, a fifty-six-year-old widow, moved from
Wisconsin with her two grown sons and a daughter to a 1,500-acre
bonanza wheat farm in Dakota Territory's Red River valley in 1882.
For five years she recorded the yearly farm cycle of plowing and
harvesting as well as the frustrations of gardening and raising
chickens, the phenomenon of mirages on the plains, the awesome
blizzard of 1888, her reliance on her family, and her close
relationship with her daughter. She noted "blots, mistakes, joys,
and sorrows" in her "olf friend." This Borealis edition brings back
to print a valuable record of a frontier woman's life.
First published in 1937, this title recounts the courageous (or
foolhardy) nocturnal exploits of a group of students who climbed
the ancient university and town buildings of Cambridge. The daring
feats were recorded with prehistoric photographic paraphernalia,
while the climbers tried to avoid detection by the 'minions of
authority'. The result is a humorous adventure providing a glimpse
into a side of Cambridge that has always been enshrouded in
darkness.
Fran Randle, Bill Shankly, Violet Carson, Les Dawson, Gracie
Fields, as well as tacklers, overlookers, weavers and other mill
workers, were interviewed for this gem of a book. A tackler comes
to Oldham, in the pouring rain, and knocks on a door. Landlady
opens the door and says, `Yes?' `Can I stay here for t'week?'
`Aye,' says the landlady, `you can, but you'll get dam'd wet!' This
is a classic example of a tackler's tale a story of gormlessness,
delivered with a straight face. All of old Lancashire is covered,
including Manchester and Liverpool, and former Daily Express
columnist Geoffrey Mather reveals a great talent for amusing
observation and wry comment. The result is an un-put-downable,
rib-tickling collection of stories, recollections and commentary by
the author on what it means to be a Lancastrian, then and now.
This is a fact-packed compendium of snippets from the past and
present, including historical tales, legends and myths of the Lake
District and the rest of the region from Barrow to Carlisle. The
towns and villages all have their stories to tell of industries
past and present, of natural and man-made disasters, of battles, of
law and order, crimes and punishments. In The Little Book of
Cumbria you will read of the people, their traditions, their
heritage, language and folklore. The topics range from amusing
trivia to great events that changed things forever. You can read
the book from cover to cover or dip in at your leisure.
In 1851 Frank Blackwell Mayer, a talented young artist from
Baltimore, traveled to Minnesota Territory to attend the signing of
the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux between the Dakota Indians and the
United States government. "He went," notes Bertha Heilbron in the
introduction, "not to participate in the negotiations, but to
observe Indian life at first hand and to find subjects for his
brush and pencil... With a sure stroke he pictured the scenes and
the inhabitants--red and white--of the frontier; with a fluent pen
he described all that he saw through the sensitive eye of the
artist."
Mayer's diary is a travel narrative, an eyewitness account of a
critical treaty signing, and a candid personal view of the
development of the artist in mid-nineteenth century America. His
words and drawings offer a lively and important resource for
historians of art and the frontier, as well as readers of regional
history.
This edition includes an additional section of Mayer's diary that
was discovered after the book was first published in 1932. Bertha
Heilbron's helpful introductions and annotation provide important
historical information for both parts oif this valuable document.
Drawing on his detailed knowledge of the city's history, in this
book Brian Lee takes the reader on a pictorial journey of the
Cardiff of yesteryear. A fascinating selection of archive postcards
has been chosen to reflect the changing fashions and pastimes in
the city. They also show changes in types of transport, and the
developing character of streets and districts as they took on the
form that is familiar today. Informative captions accompany the
images to relate the history of the people and buildings. Including
chapters on the castle, civic centre, city-centre streets, parks,
religion, transport, the docks, leisure and sport and also the 1909
Pageant of Wales, this book is sure to enthral anyone who knows and
loves this vibrant city.
Hong Kong was first captured on camera when the British arrived to
lay claim to its 'fragrant harbour' in 1841. Its fascinating
history has been documented through photography ever since - from
its rapid expansion as a Crown Colony to its handover to China in
1997 and its present status as one of the world's leading
international financial centres. Pairing rare and previously
unpublished photographs with contemporary views taken from the same
location, Hong Kong Then and Now highlights the rich and varied
history of this constantly evolving metropolis, from Victoria
Harbour, the Hong Kong Club and the Star Ferry to Kowloon Walled
CIty, Chek Lap Kok Airport and the gleaming skyscrapers of its
central banking district. Sites include: Victoria Harbour, the
Peak, the Star Ferry Pier, Man Ho Temple, Ladder Street, Queen's
Road Central, Hong Kong Club, Prince's Building, HSBC, Noonday Gun,
Happy Valley Racecourse, Tiger Balm Garden, Peninsula Hotel, Kai
Tak Airport, Kowloon Walled City, Shenzhen, Repulse Bay, Chek Lap
Kok Airport, St. Paul's (Macau).
Prior to the nineteenth century, Bradford was very much a
backwater. After that it was to become the metropolis of the
worsted industry and enjoyed a prosperity scarcely equalled by any
other portion of the kingdom. It was said at the time that the real
energy of Yorkshire centred in Bradford. The times of growth were
astounding and in 1897, when the town received its city status,
Bradford truly was magnificent.Wherever you go in Bradford you
cannot escape its rich industrial past. Many of the old mills
remain, either converted to housing or awaiting demolition.
Bradford Through Time goes to show us in many ways what we have
lost, many of the older images display a way of life that appears
rich and energetic with a real pride. You may be forgiven for
thinking in some cases that we have gone backwards and not forwards
in time.
Taking you through the year day by day, The Cardiff Book of Days
contains a quirky, eccentric, amusing or important event or fact
from different periods of history, many of which had a major impact
on the religious and political history of Britain as a whole. Ideal
for dipping into, this addictive little book will keep you
entertained and informed. Featuring hundreds of snippets of
information gleaned from the vaults of Cardiff's archives, it will
delight residents and visitors alike.
Yorkshire remains the largest county in England, and to those born
within its boundaries it is unquestionably the greatest; whether
this pride is justified or not, it would surely be difficult to
find a county with more claims to the visitor's interest. These
include the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. One of the
grandest areas of unspoiled country in the whole of England, the
Dales are mountains and moorland, as well as peaceful villages,
waterfalls and awe-inspiring caverns.The North York Moors, another
of the loveliest parts of England, is bounded by the splendour of
the Yorkshire coast. The area is rich in history; many monuments,
glorious cathedrals, magnificent houses, castles and some of the
most beautiful ruins in England bear eloquent witness to the
county's often tumultuous past. In this work, the author shares his
fascination and love of his native county.
Perth in Old Photographs is the most comprehensive title on its
subject ever published. Through a lively and intimate mixture of
rare photographs gleaned from private and public sources, this book
presents a fascinating and wide-ranging record of life in a vibrant
settlement which has frequently been at the centre of events in
Scottish political history. King James I was murdered in Perth,
which was effectively the early capital of Scotland. The book deals
with dramatic historical events, along with the occupations and
pastimes of the people, including important connections with the
whiskey industry, glass-making and textiles. Not surprisingly,
given its vast, rich agricultural hinterland, Perth has long had
strong links with the farming community, and this relationship is
reflected, as are its roles as an administrative centre and a
popular tourist destination. The changing architectural face of the
town is traced through photographs of varying ages, and due
importance is given to the River Tay which flows through the 'Fair
City' and which has played its own vital part in Perth's colourful
history.
In the Victorian era, sensational ghost stories were headline news.
Spine-chilling reports of two-headed phantoms, murdered knights and
spectral locomotives filled the pages of the press. Spirits
communicated with the living at dark seances, forced terrified
families to flee their homes and caused superstitious workers to
down their tools at the haunted mines. This book contains more than
fifty hair-raising - and in some cases, comical - real life
accounts from Wales, dating from 1837 to 1901. Unearthed from
newspaper archives, they include chilling prophecies from beyond
the grave, poltergeists terrorising the industrial communities, and
more than a few ingenious hoaxes along the way.
The Black Country is epitomised by beautiful towns and strong
industry, and this collection of intricate illustrations is a
celebration of the area's unique appeal. Featuring a range of
views, from historical buildings and markets to canals and
countryside, each stunning scene is full of intriguing detail sure
to fire the imagination and make you reach for your colouring
pencils. There are absolutely no rules - you can choose any
combination of colours you like to bring these images to life.
Suitable for children. If you love the Black Country, then you will
love colouring it in!
Lichfield, of all the towns and cities in the West Midlands, has
the longest and most intriguing history. Its famous son, Dr. Samuel
Johnson, called it 'a city of philosophers' and the extraordinary
society of writers, scientists and thinkers who lived in the shadow
of its great cathedral in the 18th century proved his point. By
that time the city already had well over a thousand years of
history under its belt, since St Chad came down from York in the
7th century and recognised Lichfield as a place of mystery and
power, perfect for his new church. In the Middle Ages, powerful
bishops fortified the town and the close and created one of the
earliest markets in the Midlands. Such was its importance that
every English king included it in his itinerary. In the 1640s
Lichfield was the focus for one of the most dramatic conflicts of
the Civil War, when within four years the city came under siege
three times. In this important new book, Dr. Upton, who is as well
known for his entertaining style of writing as for his erudition,
has provided a comprehensive and compelling account of one of
England's great cathedral cities from its early Saxon origins to
its modern growth. A tale of two cities - the ecclesiastical centre
of prime importance and the market town struggling to emerge from
the shade of the three famous spires - it takes in a holy well, a
royal prisoner, a notorious asylum and Dr. Darwin's amorous cat
with many amusing stories of former residents and notable
incidents. It is the book that Lichfield has been waiting for!
'The volume is one long delightful field trip in the company of a
charming and erudite companion...Covering a generally overlooked
aspect of the history of New York City, it is a painstaking,
thorough, carefully written volume...' -Edwin Way Teale in The New
York Times Review
Covering the villages and landscapes of West Yorkshire, this guide
suggests 30 walks of varying lengths and difficulty but all
offering unrestricted access to the West Yorkshire countryside.
Although the impact of the Great War on Brighton was profound, the
seaside town was spared any direct attack by the enemy. The fear of
spies and sabotage, however, was widespread at first and aliens
were an issue which had to be swiftly resolved under new
legislation. Allies, of course, were warmly welcomed, and
accommodation was swiftly found for those fleeing the catastrophic
events in Belgium.Between 1914 and 1918, Brighton made major
contributions to the war effort in many ways: by responding readily
to the call to arms, by caring for great numbers of wounded (the
story of the exotic Royal Pavilion being used as a hospital for
Indian casualties is widely known locally) and by simply being
itself - an open and welcoming resort that offered sanctuary,
respite and entertainment to besieged Londoners and to other
visitors, from every stratum of society. The book looks at the
fascinating wartime roles of Brighton's women, who quietly played a
vital part in transport services, industrial output and food
production. Non-combatant menfolk also kept the wheels turning
under very trying circumstances. When the meat shortage became
acute, the mayor himself took direct action, requisitioning ninety
sheep at Brighton Station for the town which were destined for
butchers' shops in London.The names of no fewer than 2,597 men and
three women who made the supreme sacrifice were inscribed on the
town's memorial, which was unveiled at the Old Steine on 7 October
1922 by Earl Beatty. At the ceremony, the earl acknowledged that
'it was by duty and self-sacrifice that the war was won.' It
remained, he said, for those who had survived the conflict to
ensure that the great sacrifices of the past, both by the dead and
the living, should not have been made in vain. We remember them in
this book.
This chilling follow-up to Cornish Murders brings together more
murderous tales that shocked not only the county but frequently
made headline news throughout the nation. They include the brutal
slaying of Elizabeth Seaman in Penzance in 1845, the murder in the
course of a robbery of Robert Drew near Launceston in 1862, the
slaughter of the entire Mortimer family in Saltash in 1901, and the
suspicious death of a farmer near Liskeard in 1952, which was
initially believed to be a tragic suicide until the results of the
post-mortem examination were received. Nicola Sly and John Van der
Kiste's well-illustrated and enthralling text will appeal to
everyone interested in true crime and the shadier side of
Cornwall's past.
Brierley Hill is one of the heavily industrialised towns that make
up the region known as the Black Country. Like many such towns it
can easily be divided into many smaller communities that, while
being part of Brierley Hill, have quite an independent existence
and identity of their own. This book sets out on a journey across
Brierley Hill that begins at the parish church and ends at one of
the principal crossroads in the town centre, and then we make our
way around the satellite communities of Brockmoor, Bromley and
Pensnett. We find ourselves in a world that was dominated by many
local pits where coal and fireclay were extracted, much of this
coal being used in the manufacture of iron. When steel came along,
Brierley Hill became the home to a large and important steelworks
at Round Oak. Other companies came into the area to manufacture
products using steel and some became very large local employers and
integral parts of the community. Large scale industry and mining
may have gone but the communities they spawned survive and this
books provides a glimpse of the shops, pubs, schools, chapels and
churches and other facilities that once made each 'village' so
self-sufficient, intertwined with their railways and canals of
industry. With over 200 historic and fascinating photographs, this
book is a must-have for locals and visitors alike, capturing
Brierley Hill as it used to be and how it has been shaped into the
place that it is today.
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